Lamictal and Memory Loss: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 28, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I was on this medication since 2006. I had no side effects or problems. It worked well, we had to keep increasing my dosage on it, though. I also combined it with Depakote, which apparently raises your Lamictal levels. Yes, you can become toxic on this medication like Depakote. I had to get off the medication because I became toxic. I was taking 300 mg a day and 1250 mg of Depakote daily. My symptoms were a drunk look, double vision, slurred speech, short-term memory loss. I started bumping into walls, my eyes were glazed over. I just got stupid towards the end. I even went to the hospital telling them I was toxic, they did not believe me. It can happen, I guess I became intolerant of the medication."

• cir...
• July 3, 2008

For Seizure Prevention "I've been taking Lamictal for 5 years now and am very pleased with it. I have experienced moderate to severe difficulties with cognitive function and memory on all other anti-epileptics. Lamictal has enabled me to reduce my carbamazepine intake to such a level that these difficulties are minimal, and I am now doing very well at University. Unfortunately, while it has reduced my seizures to lower than ever before, it has not been able to stop them altogether."

• Gan...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 23, 2018

For Seizure Prevention "I have been on Lamictal for 13 years. For the first 12, I had similar symptoms as others - poor memory, exhaustion, inability to walk a straight line. No idea why, but now my symptoms are slowly going away. My dizzy spells are rare, straight lines aren't difficult, and best of all, my memory is coming back. It's not as good as before I was on the meds, but I'm happy for anything I can get. My issue is that I'm soon going on Medicare, and the cost of this medicine is $12,000 per year. I'm looking into generics, and based on the research, it seems they have gotten better, but I'm not ready to make the leap yet."

• Sta...
• October 11, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Lamictal for almost two years now, along with Lithium. I like Lamictal a lot. I have to get off Lithium because it's raising my blood pressure and causing weight gain. Lamictal doesn't cause any side effects that are dangerous. I think I have memory problems and concentration issues, but nothing too bad. I'm a full-time second-year college student with a 3.8 GPA, so if anything, this medicine is helping me do well in school. For anyone who had a bad reaction, I feel bad for you because when this drug works, it's doing the business. For sure, good luck, new users. Try never to increase your dosage too high; remember the higher it is, the harder it is to get off."

• Mik...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 7, 2023

For Seizure Prevention "I am not sure if my depression, abnormal thoughts, blurred vision, rash, and memory issues are related to this drug or not. They are listed as side effects and seem to be getting worse the longer I'm on them. However, Lamictal has helped keep my seizures mostly under control. I have tried other medications in the past, but my stomach couldn't take them."

• CJ5...
• January 15, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on a low dose, 25 mg for about 3 weeks, then upped it to 50 mg, then will go to 100 mg in 14 days. I think this will be sufficient as it is working already and my moods are great, still able to feel stress and recognize the importance of that. But, I am very forgetful of little details, which is irritating at work because, of course, it affects my project output. It was fine with the lower dose, so I'll ride it out and see how I adjust. Other than that, I love it, it has helped me with a major crisis and was able to keep it together. Thank you!"

• sha...
• March 12, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I have recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and have found Lamictal (lamotrigine) to not only balance my mood but to elevate me back to feeling human. This is profound and very refreshing. Having experienced mild to very severe depression all of my life, I have also had acute and moderately severe manic episodes. Over the past two months, I have worked my Lamictal dose very slowly up to 200 mg of Lamictal coupled with 25 to 100 mg of Seroquel (primarily for insomnia and secondarily for mood). Side effects have included memory loss, word recall problems, and distinct weight gain (even though I exercise often and rigorously). Overall, I would say this is a wonderful medicine."

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I started taking this about five years ago for anxiety/OCD/extreme irritability (bipolar spectrum), and it is a great mood stabilizer. However, it seems all great remedies have their side effects. For me (40-something female), that meant some hair loss and memory issues. Also, I've noticed that if I miss even one dose (I take 150 mg twice a day), I start to get really agitated and irritable, so I'm afraid that it's permanently altered my biochemistry - guess I'm stuck with it. I still think I'm better off than the fat zombie most women become on antidepressants."

• 123...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 11, 2024

For Seizure Prevention "Lamictal changed my life. After realizing I was experiencing focal aware seizures, this was the first AED I tried, and I never intend to change it unless it stops working. I have had ONE focal aware seizure since titrating up to 200mg Lamictal 8 months ago, and it was a day I forgot to take my morning dose. Split dose (AM/PM) works best for me. Pros: cured my focal aware seizures, reduced sensory overwhelm I've experienced MY WHOLE LIFE, eliminated my PMS and made my periods much less painful and more regular (this drug lowers estrogen), stabilized my moods, and CURED MY 3X/WEEK CHRONIC MIGRAINES AND FACIAL NERVE PAIN. WOW!!! Cons: itchy skin after raising dose for 1-2 weeks, increased anxiety after raising dose for 1-2 weeks, increased alcohol tolerance, my short-term memory and creativity have taken a slight hit, some word dropping, slight hair loss."

• Zan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 13, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal saved my life. I take 150 mg 2x a day. By far the best drug I have ever taken for bipolar 1 disorder. I've been on around 10 antidepressants, and this was the best one at treating my depression. One side effect though: memory loss, inability to recall basic words, and losing train of thought mid-conversation. Been on it for around 8 months, and the cognitive issues are still there."

• sta...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 18, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal was a lifesaver. I've been on it for a year and 3 months at 200 mg/day. However, I noticed that when I fall into depressive episodes it wouldn’t really help, but when I come off of them, it keeps me stable for months. I take it in combination with Strattera and honestly I haven’t been this stable and happy in my life. The major downside is the brain fog, memory issues, and stuttering/forgetting words, it's worth it though."

• cra...
• January 13, 2008

For Seizure Prevention "I have taken Lamictal for over a year. It helped with the seizures and the headaches and also my anxiety. Problems I had were memory loss and weight gain, but all in all, it was a good medication."